Lath



W. D. HICKS Oct. 8, 1929.

LATH

Filed Oct. 7, 1925 ,Afforwey I Patented Oct. 8, 1929 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE WILLIAM D. HICKS, OF INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR, BYMESNE ASSIGNMENTS,

TO MASTER WIRE LATH COMPANY, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORA- TIONOF CALIFORNIA Application fil ed October 7, 1925.

This invention relates to a lath panel for the reception of plaster,stucco and similar plastic wall-forming compounds, and more particularlypertains to that type of lath embodying wire strands permanently afiixedto a backing sheet such as set forth in my copending application filedMarch 31, 1925, bearing Serial Number 19,614. I

An object of the invention is to provide a lath of the above characterin which the wire strands are so formed as to be spaced, in major part,from the surface of the backing sheet to which it is attached, wherebythe strands will be disposed well within the pla'ster applied to thelath so as to effectively reinforce the plaster and securely retain itin place.

Another object is to provide a lath panel of the type specified which isso designed that the wire strands may be formed, arranged and connectedtogether so as to provide a substantially net-like or reticulatedstructure during the course of assembling the wire on the backing sheet.

Another object is to provide a metal lath and backing sheet combined ina unitary structure adapted to be formed in panels which may be readilyapplied to supporting structures in one operation.

A further object is to provide a lath structure possessing the combinedqualities of lightness and strength.

The invention resides generally in the provision of a lath panelcomprising a backing sheet to which is permanently attached a wirestructure embodying a series of spaced parallel strands extendingtransversely or longitudinally of the backing sheet having bends formedtherein which seat on the backing sheet and are affixed thereto wherebylengths of the strands between the bends will be spaced from the surfaceof the facing sheet, and which also includes lengths of wire bent ingeneral zig-zag form arranged between adjacent pairs of the otherstrands and aflixed thereto. The invention further consists' in coatingthe structure throughout with a fluid which hardens when dry, wherebythe backing sheet is stiffened and rendered moisture-resistant andwhereby adhesion of Serial No. 61,035.

the backing sheet to the wire structure is effected, and further residesin applying an absorptive material to the coating to provide a bond forplaster throughout the area of the lath structure.

The invention further resides in the parts and in the combination,construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter set forth andillustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in whichFig. 1 is a plan view of the lath structure;

Fig. 2 is a view in section as seen on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a View in section as seen on the line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a detail in perspective showin the manner of forming thetransverse and zig-zag strands, connecting them together and fasteningthe transverse strands to the backing shee Referring to the drawingsmore specifically, A indicates a backing sheet which is preferablyflexible and which may be formed of paper or other suitable fibrousmaterial, and 13 indicates generally the wire structure which is affixedto the backing sheet to form the completed lath panel.

The wire structure comprises a series of parallel wire strands C whichextend transversely of the backing sheet and each of which strands isformed with a series of spaced down turned bends D which seat on thebacking sheet and are secured to the latter by means of staples E orother suitable fastenings whereby the lengths F of the wire strands Cextending between the bends D are positioned in spaced relation to thebacking sheet. Interposed between each pair of adjacent strands C is astrand G of general zig-zag for mation; the strand G being formed with astraight portion. H from which leads an obliquely extending length Ileading to a straight portion J from which leads another oblique portionK to another straight portion H, and so on throughout the length of thestrand G. The straight portions H and J abut against the adjacentparallel strands C with the oblique portions I and K extending inopposite directions. The strands G arranged on opposite sides of thestrands C hering together.

are disposed in alternative relation, that is, with the straight portionH or" one strand G on one side of the strand C, and the straight portionJ of the other strand seating on strand C opposite the straight portionH; the strands G and C meeting intermediate the lengths of the strandportions of the strand C between the spacing bends D. The strands G andC are securely connected together by metal clips L which embrace theportions i, J and F of the strands. Preterab pair of clips L arearranged in spaced relation along the straight portions H and J.

It will now be observed strands G are supported strands C and aremaintained spaced rel tion to the backing sheet A and with tl e obliqueportions 1 and K will, with the ties afforded by the strand C, form atruss-like structure.

After thus iiorming the combined wire structure and backing sheet, theare with a suitable water proofing cated at M, which material is or Vter and is applied by subnierg ture therein, and is of such that thezig-zae" character as to harden when dry and possesses such cementitiousor adhesive qualiti s as tocooperate with the staples E in etl'ecting abond between the wire structure and the backing sheet.

Vhile this adhesive waterproof coating is in a fluid or semi-fluid statea coating comparatively coarse material or moistureabsorptive characteris applied there dicated at. N; this material being ap both sides of thebacking sheet a with the coating M to stiffen the sheet, and at the sametime render it imp-ervious to penetration by moisture. This material Non the outer face of the caching sheet ,afiords a bond for plaster andpro the necessary suction to hold tree A p-.. place, and permits the useof the lath head. By applying the R2: back of the backing sheet, panels0 may be stacked without adiace t panels a The material ll preferablyconsists of lziesels u ir otheri linown diatoinaceous earth but maycomprise any granular or fibrous material having the requisite qualityof absorptiveness.

It is to be noted that in the lath thus fo med the spaces bounded by thewires will be con; para-tively large in relation to the s aces occupiedthe wire so that the structure will be light in weight, yet by reason ofthe truss like arrangement. will be rendered exceedingly strong, andthat when a coating of plaster is applied to the lath as indicated at Oin Fig. 2, the wire strands will be well enibedded in the plaster so toa substantial reinforcement. A feature of the construction resides injoining the adjac "it lengths of wire in spaced relat on to the ban;-ing sheet so as to form relatively wide surfaces or areas of the wirestructure at intervals throughout the lath panel, as particularly shownin 3, which affords increased bond for plaster at these points.

I claim 1. A lath structure comprising a flexible backing sheet, aseries of spaced parallel strands extending transversely of said sheethaving spacing bends formed therein seating on the backing sheet, saidstrands being arranged with the portions thereof extending between thebends spaced from the backing sheet, staples engaging the bends andbacking sheet, zig-zag wire strands arranged between the adjacentparallel strands, the zigzag strands on opposite sides of the parallelstrands being disposed in alternative arrangement whereby obliqueportions of the Zig-zag strands will extend from opposite sides of thestrands in opposite directions, and clips connecting the transversestrands and the zig-zag s rands on opposite sides together whereby saidZigzag strands are supported wholly on s l transverse strands, saidconnection points occurring between the points on the strands wher thespacing bends occur.

2. A lath structure comprising a flexible backing sheet, a series ofspaced parallel Sal nds extending tran versely of said sheet having sacing bends formed therein seating on the backing sheet, said strandsbeing arranged with the portions thereof extending between the bendsspaced from the backing sheet, staples engaging the bends and backingsheet, Zig-Zag strands on opposite sides of the parallel strands beingdisposed in alternative arrangement whereby oblique portions of thezigzag strands will extend from opposite sides of the strands inopposite directions,

c ips connecting the transverse strands andthe zigzag strands onopposite sides together whereby said zig-zag strands are supportedwholly on said transverse strands, and an adhesive waterproof coating onsaid backing sheet cooperating with the staples in aflixing the bends ofthe transverse strands to the backing sheet, said connection pointsoccurring between the points on the strands where the spacing bendsoccur.

A lath structure comprising a flexible backing sheet, a series of spacedparallel strands extending transversely of said sheet having spacingbends formed therein seating on the backing sheet, said strands beingarranged with the portions thereot extending bet-ween the bends spacedfrom the backing sheet,-staples engaging the bends and backing sheet,Zig-zag strands on opposite sides of the parallel strands being disposedin alternative arrangement whereby oblique portions of the zig-zagstrands will extend from opposite sides of the strands in oppositedirections, clips connecting the transverse strands and the zigzagstrands on opposite sides together whereby said zig-zag strands aresupported wholly on said transverse strands, said connection pointsoccurring between the points on the strands where the spacing bendsoccur, an adhesive waterproof coating on said backing sheet cooperatingwith the staples in afiixing the bends of the transverse strands to thebacking sheet, and an absorptive material adon intermediate the spacingbends and there-.

by held in spaced relation to the backing sheet.

5. A lath structure comprising a flexible backing sheet, a series ofparallel wire strands extending transversely of said backing sheethaving spacing bends seating on the backing sheet, means effectingengagement between said bends and backing sheet, said strands arrangedwith the portions extending between the bends spaced from the backingsheets, zigzag strands arranged between adjacent pairs of parallelstrands and supported thereon intermediate the spacing bends and therebyheld in spaced relation to the backing sheet, and an adhesive materialcoating to said strand and backing sheet.

6. A lath structure comprising a flexible backing sheet, a series ofparallel wire strands extending transversely of saidbacking sheet havingspacing bends seating on the backing sheet, means effecting engagementbetween said bends and backing sheet, said strands arranged with theportions extending between the bends spaced from the backing sheet,zigzag strands arranged between ad acent pairs of parallel strands andsupported thereon intermediate the spacing bends and thereby held inspaced relation to the backing sheet, an adhesive material coating saidstrands and backing sheets, and an absorptive material adhered to saidcoating.

7. In a lath structure, a series of spaced parallel strands formed withspacing bends, Zig-zag wire strands arranged between the adjacentparallel strands, and clips connecting the parallel strands and thezig-zag strands intermediate the bends in said parallel strands. g

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature.

WILLIAM D. HICKS.

